Happy April! I hope you are staying healthy and are enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. I’ve added even more resources this week, so please check out everything that our community has to offer during this difficult time. (AND learn about how you can help in the Homemade Face Mask section!)
Art and Home Displays
- Center for the Visual Arts has daily activities on Facebook to encourage creativity
- Heart Groups: A World of Hearts, #FromMyWindow, Happy Heart Hunt, Heart Hunters
- Rise Up Central Wisconsin invites you to join them in their circle project
- Teddy Bear Groups: Bear Hunt, Going on a Bear Hunt, Wisconsin Teddy Bear Hunt
- Wausau DIY offers custom home sign kits and a social distancing heart sign ($15 from each sign is donated to DC Everest-Wausau Blessings in a Backpack!)
Local Activities
- 5 Koshas Yoga and Wellness has online classes for kids and adults (some are free)
- Behavioral Health Clinic has a teen hang-out from 6:30-7:30pm on 4/1 and 4/8
- Boys and Girls Club of Portage County is sharing daily activities on Facebook
- Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area has daily virtual activities and homework help weekdays from 3-3:30pm (more info here)
- Center for the Visual Arts has daily activities on Facebook to encourage creativity
- Ifleed shares ideas on their Facebook page and just started a YouTube channel
- Marathon County Public Library offers audio-books and lots of online resources
- PBS Wisconsin offers at-home learning daily programming
- RaiseGreatKids.org & Marathon County Early Years Coalition share great resources
- Visit Wausau and Central Wisconsin has a list of gyms with virtual workouts and more
- Wausau Area Builders Association has a LEGO House Building Contest (ends 4/13)
- WI State Parks have free admission for all (remember social distancing)
- WSAW News Channel 7 has kids weather lessons on Facebook Mon. & Fri. at 3 pm
- Your student’s school library may have a list of recommended resources!
Local Food Options
- BiteSquad restaurant delivery (Referral: New users get a $10 credit)
- Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area offers a snack/dinner meal pick-up weekdays from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at either 1710 N 2nd Street, Wausau or John Muir Middle School
- DoorDash restaurant delivery (Referral: New users get $5 off their first 3 orders)
- FREE grab-and-go bags of food for ANYONE in the Wausau area
- Mosinee School District offers Wi-Fi on wheels and free lunch too
- Pick ‘n Save offers free grocery pickup from now until 6/1/20 (Clip the coupon.)
- Ruby’s Pantry at Thrive Church – Food pantry drive through on 4/7 at 4pm for $20
- Stoney Acres Farm offers delivery in the Wausau area
- Trig’s offers free grocery delivery on your first 5 orders (Promo code: 5FREE)
- Many local restaurants offer take-out or delivery (List from WSAW – Channel 7.)
Educational Resources
- Amazing Educational Resources: HUGE list of free services
- Common Sense Education: 10 great free websites for elementary students
- COVID-19 Time Capsule: Free printable for kids from LONG Creations
- Down Dog Yoga: Free virtual yoga classes until at least May 1
- GoNoodle: Exercise and “brain break” videos for kids
- Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home: LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: Daily zoo video and activity at 2pm
- Podcasts for Kids: A list from the NYTimes of the best podcasts for kids
- Storytime from Space: Astronauts reading books in outer space
- TinkerGarten: Outdoor play activities and weekly emails with themed play
- Travel and Leisure Magazine: List of 12 museums with virtual tours
Homemade Face Masks
- A.B. Mask for a Nurse by a Nurse Tutorial from Jessica Nandino on Instructables
- Jo-Ann Fabric: DIY guides
- North Central Health Care: DIY guide and drop off information
- Wausau Area Coronavirus Needs Connection: Connects people and materials
Resources from Wausau Mama
Self-Care
- Soak your feet in a foot bath
- Try meditating
- Go for a bike ride
- Paint your finger or toenails
- Listen to a funny or calming podcast
- Watch a funny movie
- Go for a walk
- Apply a face mask
- Try forest bathing (link to article from The Guardian)
- Take a (real) bath
- Make something for fun (knitting, sewing, woodworking, etc.)
- Write a letter
- Print your favorite photos and display them
- Read a book for fun
- Color in a kid or adult coloring book
- Do yoga
- Call a friend or family member
- Drink some hot tea (or other hydrating drink)
If you’re struggling, please know that you’re not alone! Sometimes our emotions feel out of our control. If you are feeling anxious, sad, or lonely, please check out North Central Health Care’s website for resources.